Washington University School of Medicine

Washington University School of Medicine, founded in 1891, has a rich history of success in research, education and patient care. The school pioneered bedside teaching and led in the transformation of empirical knowledge into scientific medicine. From the earliest days, there has been an understanding that “investigation and practice are one in spirit, method and object.”

The School of Medicine selects applicants who, in addition to possessing keen minds, demonstrate an ability to perceive and serve their patients' best interests. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Washington University School of Medicine among the top five in the nation.

The School of Medicine's more than 1,700 faculty members are physicians and researchers who are recognized as national and international leaders in their fields of expertise.

17 Nobel laureates have been associated with the School of Medicine.

14 faculty members are fellows of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences; 26 belong to its Institute of Medicine.

100 faculty members hold individual career development awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH); 58 hold similar awards from nonfederal agencies.

17 faculty members have MERIT status, a special recognition from the NIH that provides long-term, uninterrupted financial support to investigators who have demonstrated superior achievement during previous research projects.

6 faculty members are Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators.

Washington University Physicians is the clinical practice group for full-time faculty physicians at the School of Medicine. This highly active group – one of the largest in the nation – is composed of nearly 1,000 physicians representing more than 50 specialties and subspecialties in medicine and surgery. Washington University Physicians provide comprehensive medical care at more than 35 clinical office sites throughout the greater St. Louis area.

Grants and contracts totaling nearly $472 million supported faculty research efforts at the School of Medicine during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Substantial additional support was provided directly to faculty investigators by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. During the same time period, gifts and grants from private sources, including alumni, individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations totaled $61 million from 7,744 entities.

The School of Medicine received $346 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health during the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2007. That money came in 715 separate grants.